A GIFT OF TIME!

A GIFT OF TIME!

James 4:14

14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

Eph 5:15-16

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

          Our English language provides many meanings to the simple word “time.” It is a period of time in which an action, process or condition exists or continues as in the sentence: “gone a long time.” It can refer to a state of affairs such as “hard times.” And every naughty child can tell you the meaning of “time-out.”

          Time is life. It appears for a little while and then it is gone. Paul urged the Ephesians to redeem the time. The word “redeeming” is the Greek exagorazo which literally means “to buy up or to rescue from loss.” Time spent doing one thing can’t ever be regained to do another thing. That period of time is used up. If we are to rescue time from loss then we need to be more aware of how our time is spent.

          My love language, and that of my wife, is primarily “quality time.” Our most enjoyable “times” are spent on the front porch swing with a cup of coffee. We may talk for hours or we may say little or nothing to each other. We are not wasting time. We are investing it in each other. When a visitor comes to spend time with me I view it and treasure it as an act of love. My visits to others are intended to share love as well.

          At my age I have noticed there are at least two groups of people who need loving gifts of time. One is older people and the other is children. Older people know they have little time left. Many of them feel forgotten and cast aside. They understand and appreciate your gift of time. Sit with one and listen as they recount stories of times long past. Times remembered are times that can be enjoyed again and again.

          Children don’t always feel very important to older people. They are surprised and pleased when we spend some of our precious draining time to join them in their play, to sing their songs and to listen to their dreams. Teens, once they overcome their shock, seem truly pleased that we want to spend time with them.

John 4:9-10

9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.

10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

          Today you may have the opportunity to give the gift of time. Don’t view it as an intrusion. It may be God’s appointment.

Dear Lord, make me aware of those who need a bit of my time. AMEN